Letitia James sues Trump administration over immigration enforcement
New York Attorney General Letitia James has taken a stand against President Donald Trump’s administration by filing two lawsuits on Tuesday. Alongside 19 other attorneys general, James is challenging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Transportation for their alleged coercion tactics in forcing states to comply with federal immigration enforcement.
The first lawsuit targets DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, accusing the department of threatening to cut off “emergency preparedness” funding if states do not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. James argues that this funding is essential for keeping New Yorkers safe during disasters such as hurricanes and floods. She believes that the administration is using these funds as leverage to push through its immigration agenda, putting states in a difficult position.
In the second lawsuit against the Department of Transportation, James and her colleagues argue that the department’s conditions for receiving funding are unconstitutional. They claim that withholding funds to coerce immigration compliance puts vital public safety and transportation projects at risk. These projects include measures to prevent traffic accidents, train collisions, and improve airport safety.
The Trump administration has been cracking down on illegal immigration, resulting in over 130,000 deportations since Trump took office. Apprehensions at the U.S.-Mexico border have seen a significant decrease, with a 93% drop in April compared to the previous year. This shift in security posture has allowed more agents to patrol territories that were previously overlooked, according to CBP officials.
The lawsuits filed by Attorney General Letitia James and her colleagues aim to protect states from being forced to choose between disaster preparedness and immigration compliance. They argue that the federal government cannot weaponize disaster relief to push through its immigration policies. The outcome of these lawsuits could have significant implications for how federal funding is allocated and the extent of states’ cooperation with immigration enforcement efforts.
